About Martin Lewis

A master of intaglio, Martin Lewis’s prints are characterized by the interplay of dark and light, evoking a film noir style that radiates an authentic New York City energy. The Australian-born artist spent much of his life in the United States, working as a commercial artist before devoting himself full-time to printmaking. Lewis incorporated elements of impressionism and tonalism, and his drypoint prints and graphite drawings elevate mundane city scenes, capturing both small moments of solitude and bustling crowds. Lewis worked briefly with Edward Hopper and influenced the painter’s cityscapes; although they worked in different mediums, the two shared similar artistic visions and goals. A seminal figure in the graphic arts of the 1930s, Lewis is regarded as one of the best printmakers of the 20th century, but he is largely unknown due to the small production runs of his works.